Chardon School Board approves land purchase; denies union grievance

At a board meeting on May 12, Chardon School Board members cast an affirmative vote to purchase land which will be used to alleviate traffic congestion on district property.
Though the issue rests primarily with parking at the Middle School, Superintendent Michael Hanlon said “the overall plan has the potential to positively impact” other areas of the Chardon Schools’ campus including the administration building, high school, Maple Elementary and athletic facilities.
The land, comprised of 1.16 acres at 410 North St., will be purchased at a cost of $27,500.
“Architectural and engineering firms are currently under contract and evaluating the available land purchased last year, as well as this new acquisition to determine best options for the school district and middle school traffic flow,” Hanlon said. “This may include several phases of work affecting various parcels of property.”
The superintendent added that it is anticipated work on a portion of the project will be initiated and completed this summer.
“This may be on the property acquired in 2013 or the new property depending on analysis of our architects,” he said.
A new system of ingress/egress as well as the number of additional parking spaces will depend on recommendations from architects.
Employing several firms rather than using a single contractor for the project is expected to be cost-effective.
One quote for the coordinated services of architectural and engineering work was approximately $29,000. By using the following three firms an approximate savings of $8,000 will be realized:
n MKC Associates (design work) $5,000
n Land Design (engineering) $14,000
n GEO SCI (soil borings) $1,800.
In other business, the board denied a grievance submitted by the Chardon Education Association regarding length of calamity make-up days.
The CEA argued that the board violated their contract when the length of the school day changed effective March 26, thereby changing working conditions that they alleged had not been bargained, according to board President David Fairbanks.
The board voted on March 22 during a special meeting to extend the school day by 30 minutes from March 26 through June 5, said Fairbanks, noting “this was done in order to make up four calamity days which we were statutorily required to make up.”
An original plan that was approved and filed with the Ohio Department of Education called for students to attend school on June 6 and on Saturdays in April and May, to be scheduled by the superintendent in consultation with CEA President Tammy Segulin.
“After seeking input from a variety of stakeholders, Dr. Hanlon determined that no one liked the idea of attending school on June 6 or on Saturdays,” Fairbanks said. “Alternatives were explored and the Board was presented with options. After carefully considering all options, we opted to extend the school day by 30 minutes for a total of 44 days in order to make up the time.”
Also discussed at the meeting was the five-year budget forecast presented by District Treasurer Ashley Brudno.
A cash balance of $2.4 million is projected for the end of the fiscal year.
Among factors contributing to the positive balance are a levy voters passed in November and income from open enrollment.
“This is the first time in a long time we’ve had a reasonable carryover as opposed to struggling with a possible deficit,” said Board member Guy Wilson.
Board member Madelon Horvath called the carryover “a moving target,” maintaining that “the state changes things every few years.”

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John, a Kent State University graduate, started at The News-Herald as a reporter in 1996. He then became bureau chief, then business editor, then city editor, and is now managing editor. Reach the author at jbertosa@news-herald.com
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